Remix'd below

As much as I like skinny jeans,


I am glad that flares are making a comeback.


A slight bootcut makes my muscular legs look a bit leaner!

Remix'd on top

"Remix" is a term that is used for items of clothing that have been re-worn different ways. So any piece of clothing you wear more than one time is going to be remixed (or remix'd, as I like to use). As much as I like to buy new clothes, my closet is bursting at the seams, and documenting my outfits helps me to realize how much I already have and do not need to buy!


I have had this cardi forever and love how it can be dressed up or down.


I loved this top so much that I have it in lavendar (as pictured) and gray!


I also feel like you can never have enough ruffles :)


...or flowers!

Snaps of the week

In training with my work peeps.


Driving to the airport. It was a bit strange to be staying in Ohio but flying out of Kentucky. I forgot that some states are actually pretty small!


This was not quite the shala, but had to do in a bind. I already knew I was not a fan of "Vinyasa" yoga, even though what I practice is technically vinyasa yoga; this class was fine but I think sometimes I am just better off practicing on my own.


"No coffee no prana!"


GaGa.


Dinner with the girls.


Baby FC. He is so tiny!

Shoulders are ok

all items remix'd
top: Ann Taylor
pants: Gap
shoes: Taryn Rose
tote: Tory Burch

I went shopping for the first time in over 2 months last week while I was working in Dallas. I bought a skirt and...


top: Old Navy, remix'd
jeans: True Religion, remix'd
shoes: BCBG, via DSW (new!)
shades: Dsquared, remix'd
earrings: gift'd
bangles: India
bag: Gucci, remix'd

these platforms! They are knock-offs of the Miu Mius that were popular last year. I have also realized that no matter how much I try to resist, I will not be able to stop wearing heels altogether (so that I don't tighten my hamstrings too much, which can make my asana practice suffer). I am just going to have to alternate with flats.


all items remix'd
top: J. Crew
jeans: Notify
sandals: Enzo
earrings: gift'd

As I was looking at my outfits from the past few days, they look almost identical. Now that the temperature is rising, wearing layers is not much of an option. One good thing about being home? Showing my shoulders is ok!

A day behind

all items remix'd
suit: Loft
shirt: Express
shoes: Geox

I am slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things. I now kind of wish I brought more exciting things to wear this week, as blogging about work is definitely not exciting as blogging about India, so blogging about clothes is the next best thing. I wore this suit yesterday and Monday and will probably wear it again tomorrow.

Last night I attended an intermediate vinyasa yoga class at a studio nearby. It was fine, but somehow practicing to Lady Gaga (Pokerface, no less) seemed kind of wrong, on all sorts of levels. I don't mind fluffy yoga music, but I don't think you should be able to sing to it during practice (yes, someone was singing while getting into her asana. I know!). On the bright side, I did break s sweat and practiced for longer than if I had done it on my own.

Tomorrow Sharath is hosting a Led Primary web broadcast that I am super excited for. I have been waking up later just because but you can be sure I will be up in time for a 5:30 AM start!

Things are a bit fuzzy

all items remix'd
top: Anthro
cardi: Loft
pants: Gap
shoes: Taryn Rose
earrings: gift'd

Finding a good spot to take outfit photos on the road is sometimes a bit tricky for me. I only brought my point-and-shoot this week; just couldn't be bothered with the big camera right now. Right now, all I keep asking myself is, "Is it Friday yet?"

Feeling less than inspired

all items remix'd
top: Ann Taylor
cardi: Express
pants: Gap
shoes: Geox
earrings: gift'd

This is what I wore on my first day back to work this past Friday. I wanted something easy and comfortable.


I am traveling this whole week for work - first to Cincinnati, where I am now, for some training. We leave this afternoon, when I fly back to Houston, then fly from Houston to Dallas to work from Wednesday until Friday. Talk about jumping back into things!I wanted to pack light so my wardrobe is a bit less than inspired this week. We'll see if I can muster the energy to take some outfit photos.

I am also having a hard time getting motivated to practice yoga in the morning by myself. Luckily I found a Led Primary class to attend in Dallas tomorrow evening so all will not be lost!

Re-integration

The transition from India to the States hasn't been as weird as I thought it would be (like brushing my teeth with sink water and not worrying about getting sick!), although I do miss some things already (delicious coconuts and papayas!).


Seeing my baby nephews has been wonderful. My heart melted when JJ came running up to be to give me a big kiss when I first came over. He is so sweet with the new bebe!


The jet lag at home seems a bit worse than going over. But we have still been making it to practice.


As tasty as the crawfish may have looked, I was good and ate my homemade chickpea curry instead. Converting to vegetarianism hasn't been too difficult; I really haven't had any desire for meat at all.


My current journey has not been quite as exotic as my last trip.

I have been happy to re-introduce myself to my wardrobe, although ironically enough, I wore this tee to death in Mysore!

all items remix'd
tee: Old Navy
skirt: Loft
shoes: Boutique 9
sunnies: Dsquared
earrings: gift'd
necklace: Collingnon Designs
bag: Gucci

I like being able to show some more skin and not worry about being inappropriate :)

For Jill, with love

tank: Old Navy, remix'd
dress as a skirt: India
sandals: Life Stride, remix'd
scarf: India

One of my new yogi friends commented that she wished I had done more outfit posts while I was there. I spent most of the time in baggy tees and pants, so didn't feel especially stylish but I had some nice moments.

I was proud of myself for only buying 2 items of clothing while I was here. Let's hope I can continue this trend of limited consumption now that I am home. It's nice not to have to worry about showing my shoulders anymore!

Guest post: Bringing her home from summer camp

*I wanted to hear Joe's thoughts about the trip so here he is!*


India = Wow, I mean wow.

Originally supposed to be trip I would only hear (and dream) about, my sulking in Houston quickly morphed into an 8 day visit into the controlled chaos, some jaw dropping yoga, and hanging with EE’s fellow campers (aka a super fun variety of fit & focused peeps).

I am not quite sure where to even start or how to best explain some of the things I saw so I will defer most of that to the wife’s tongue and the snaps of her lens to help explain.

One thing is for sure though – everywhere I went, looked, & turned - I was constantly reminded that I need to be more thankful and appreciative of everything. Some of those areas are:

- Thankful that Erik & Rachel were so generous showing us the in’s & outs of this trip. From our Q&A sessions to relaxing at their place before the car picked us up – they were always there for us.

- Thankful for Yannis, Erik, & Rachel helping me bring my practice where it is today.

- Thankful that my wife is brave and willing enough to take an out of her comfort zone risk (more like a “planned leap of faith”) by taking this trip in the first place. I love that about her.

- And thankful for the deep network of family and friends that we have. Though I am not sure they know or care, the thousands of India natives I have seen will likely never have many of the opportunities that I am so fortunate to have. I believe the root of those opportunities come, build, and thrive from a solid base of family and friends (aka “our crew!”)

Enough pining from me already as I must now get on it like a bonnet with my practice. I have tons to do before we go back in two years!

Namaste!

"That's good!"

*************Warning: Photo heavy post! Be prepared!**************


As I re-integrate into the "real world," I have so much on my mind that I want to share and don't want to forget. Leaving Mysore has definitely bittersweet, but I think it was more sweet than bitter.


On the whole, my experience was so amazing, unlike anything I have ever done before. Naturally I had ups and downs over the course of my stay there, but the ups far outweigh the downs, and I definitely feel I need to return sometime in the future.


When I first announced my decision to visit Mysore for 2 months, most people's reacion was "Why?!?" I half-jokingly answered, "Yoga and the food!" I am going to miss 20 rupee (~50 cents) dosas.


Thalis.


Long, leisurely lunches.


And the yoga. Imagine this room filled with 75 hot, sweaty bodies. Being able to open up your body and get into asanas deeper than you ever have.


I took this secret photo from the ladies changing room. It's not the best quality, but you get the idea: practicing when the sun hasn't risen, a crowded room, people waiting in the foyer.

But one thing I almost forgot about was that I would meet some of the most amazing people from all over the world. The one thing we all have in common is the love for ashtanga yoga, which is everything.


Marika from Sweden, Simon and Pardraig from Ireland, Ellie from America


Sari from Finland


Ellie, Emma from England, Adam from Canada


Stanley from Singapore


China from America, Tania from Australia, Emma, Jill from America


Laksmeesh from India


Magnus and Anne from Sweden

I would like to give a special shout out to a few friends:

Jill who was so warm and inviting when I didn't know anyone at all


China was the best friend in a time of need


And of course Rachel and Erik. I cannot even begin to thank them for inspiring me to get off my a$$ and come to India!


Rachel is seriously the best.


I feel like I still have so much to say, but for now I will leave you with Sharath's last words to me as he finished dropping me back into backbends: "That's good!"

I forgot...

how nice it is to be in your own, clean, dust-free home!

I have so much to say, wrap up, be thankful for from my 7-week adventure in Mysore, India. However, since I have virtually been up since 3 AM India time Tuesday morning, I think it's time to hit the hay (Joe is already there) and post more tomorrow. Good night :)

"Next time, you stay longer!"

This afternoon we stopped by Sharath's office to say "Thank you" and "Goodbye." It felt slightly awkward because what do you say to someone you only know through your yoga practice? He did tell Joe, "Next time, you stay longer!" which made me feel good, because he just assumed there would be a next time.


Being around Sharath is almost like being around a celebrity. You know a lot about him but he doesn't know much about you. He definitely makes more of an impact on your life than you do on his. I guess that is the consequence of being a teacher.

So will there be a next time? I certainly hope so. I don't think I can make this trip every year, but maybe every 2-3 years would be manageable. Next time I would definitely want Joe to live here like I did. So now we just need to make it work!